The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

McCarthy slams Hain for costly sporting trips

4.04.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 26th Jul 2006

Portrait-yellow: MCCARTHY Kieran (photography: Allan Leonard)

Alliance Strangford Assembly Member, Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Party Chief Whip, Kieran McCarthy, has condemned the government for spending almost £11,000 on attending sporting events in the Republic of Ireland. The trips were taken by the Secretary of State his officials.

The Strangford Assembly Member said: "I am shocked that almost £11,000 was spent by Peter Hain and his officials on going to sporting events in the Republic of Ireland.

"It looks like no expense was spared, as they were provide with a chartered aircraft to go to a rugby international in Dublin.

"Whats wrong with using the Enterprise train service to Dublin, like everyone else does?

Cllr Kieran McCarthy MLA concluded: "The news of these expensive costs come at a time when education boards are sacrificing vital special education services and closing schools. The money could have been much better spent on key services like education and health."

ENDS

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